The Lakewood Ranch site is a residential back yard located in the
Lakewood Rancho Estates of Long Beach, California. Cliff May and Chris
Choate, noted designer and architect of the contemporary California
ranch home, designed the community in the 1950s.
The primary function of the garden is to seamlessly unite indoor and
outdoor spaces and activities. Both active and leisurely activities are
equally important site uses.
The conceptual narrative is based on a gradient of material
decomposition - solid and organic materials are gradually interwoven.
Language of forms convey a vertical rhythm of mass that is offset by
elongated strands of horizontal planes.
Elements include a patio and lawn for active recreation. Passive
recreation is encouraged by creating an alcove with an L-shaped seat
wall for conversation, a cor-ten steel partition, and plants. A
cantilevered bench juts out of the existing masonry wall and runs the
length of the lawn. Material decomposition is conveyed by an L-shaped
seat wall that transitions from solid concrete, to a hybrid paver of
concrete and grass, finally to a lawn. Gravel acts as a visual elastic
and submergence for the varying heights of concrete solids. Plants are
arranged in swaths. Golden Bamboo hugs the alcove whilst providing shade
and privacy for the space. Birds of Paradise and Dichondra occupy
either side of the plinth-like-step to and from the house. Lawn fades
into the patio and alcove via the concrete and grass hybrid pavers.
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